Automatic machine for tying or baling



A ril 26, 1966 E. MECKLER 3,247,781

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR TYING OR BALING Filed May 5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1April 26, 1966 MECKLER 3,247,781

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR TYING OR BALING Filed May 5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVE/VfO/P 61; -1- Weak/a- April 26, 1966 ER 3,247,781

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR TYING OR BALING Filed May 5, 1965 33 p 4Sheets-Sheet 5 April 26, 1966 MECKLER 3,247,781

AUTOMA'iIC MACHINE FOR TYING OR BALING Filed May 5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet4 United States Patent 3,247,781 AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR TYING 0R BALINGEdgar Meckier, Radevormwald, Rhineland, Germany, assignor toBrneninglians & (10., Bezett KG, Wuppertal- Wichlinghausen, GermanyFiled May 3, 1965, Ser. No. 458,808 Claims priority, applicationGermany, Feb. 6, 1965, I

. ,402 Claims. (Cl. 1053-27) The present application is acontinuation-in-part application of the copending application Serial No.290,464 filed June 25, 1963 and titled Automatic Machine for Tying orBaling."

The present invention relates to an automatic machine for tying, hoopingor bal ing packages in which the machine includes a rotary device suchas a transporting ring or chain to place the tying material around thepack age.

Machines of this type are known in the art as tunnel machines. Wires orstrips, usually made of iron or steel, are used asthe tying or hoopingmaterial. In view of the high specific gravity of such materials, thesupply reels are usually mounted on a withdrawal device, which is oftenaccommodated next to the actual tying machine on the floor of the roomwhere the latter is installed. In order to place the tying materialaround the package, the wire must be led from the supply roll to theapparatus and in this case a surplus length of wire, several times thelength necessary to encircle the package, must first be tentatively fedfrom the supply roll and then again be retracted until the tyingmaterial is taut around the package. This obviously slows down the tyingoperation in an undesirable manner. Another disadvantage of known tyingmachines is the so-called loop formation which occurs when smallpackages are being tied. Such loop formation will arrive when a givenlength of tying material has been withdrawn from the supply roll by thetransporting ring but is not used up in tying the package.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioneddisadvantages of tying machines known in the art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a tyingmachine which is compact in construction and in which the supply reelfor the tying material is directly mounted on the transporting meanswhich place the tying material around the package.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide for atying machine of the aforementioned type in which loop formation ispositively prevented and in which the tying material is placed in tautcondition about the package to be tied.

Finally, it is also an object of the present invention to provide for atying machine of the above-mentioned type .which is constructed ofrelatively few and simple parts so that the machine can be manufacturedat reasonable cost and will stand up perfectly under extended use.

With these objects in view, the tying machine according to the presentinvention mainly comprises support means having -a supporting surfacefor supporting a pack-age or bundle to be tied thereon, moving meansencircling a bundle supported on the supporting surface and adapted tomove about the bundle in one direction, a supply reel 3,247,78l PatentedApr. 26, 1966 cooperating with the supply reel for braking the turningmovement of the reel about its axis so as to apply the tying material intensioned condition about the bundle. The brake means preferably includea friction wheel in operative engagement with the supply reel and meansfor rotating the friction wheel in a direction opposite to the directionof rotation of the supply reel. The machine includes further secondgripping means located in the aforementioned direction of rotation ofthe moving means beyond the first gripping means for gripping a portionof the tying material unwound from the supply reel and extending aboutthe bundle beyond the first gripping means in overlapping relationshipto said one end of the tying material, fastening means adjacent thefirst and second gripping means for fastening the port-ion of tyingmaterial overlapping the one end of the tying material to said one end,and cutting means for cutting the tying material between the fastenedportion and the reel.

Themoving means are preferably in the form of a movable ring locatedsubstantially in a plane normal to the supporting surface of the supportmeans. The movable ring is preferably supported on a plurality ofrollers which in turn are turnably supported on a'stationary ringcoaxial with the movable ring. The movable ring is preferably providedat its outer periphery with a gear rim and is driven by a motor drivinga gear meshing with the gear rim. The stationary ring is also preferablyprovided at its outer periphery with a gear ring and a gear meshing withthe-gear rim of the stationary ring is operatively connected to thesupply reel tending to rotate the latter about its axis in a directionopposite to the direction of movement imparted to the supply reel duringmovement of the movable ring and withdrawal of tying material from thesupply reel. Means are provided between the last mentioned gear andsupply reel permitting the supply reel to slip relative to the gear andsuch means are preferably in the form of a slip'clutch. In thisarrangement, the gear meshing with the gear rim of the stationary ringwill tend to rotate the supply reel in a direction opposite to thedirection imparted thereto during withdrawal of tying materialtherefrom, while the slip clutch will permit the supply reel to slip sothat the tying material will be wound in taut condition about thebundle. The slip clutch is preferably adjustable so that the tension atwhich the tying material is applied about the bundle may be regulated ina simple manner.

The tying material employed is preferably wire or strip of elasticplastic material, for example a single stranded nylon wire, but it isunderstood that wires or strips of different materials may also be usedin the machine of the present invention.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an automatic tying machine according to thepresent invention and showing the co-- operating components in thestarting position; FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned partial plan view ofthe machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-6 are plan views, similar to FIG. 2 and showing the positions ofthe components of the machine at viewed in the direction of the arrows,and drawn to an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7, viewed indirection of the arrows and also drawn to an enlarged scale.

With regard to the drawing it is mentioned that only those parts of themachine are shown which are important to a proper understanding of theinvention, while certain other parts for moving and controlling theelements illustrated in the drawings are omitted for the sake ofsimplicity. Moreover, it is immaterial how the packages are brought intothe region of the ring, but it is desirable to transport the packages tothe ring from one side thereof by conveying means, such as for instanceconveyor belts, and, after they have been tied, to remove the same fromthe opposite side of the ring and to convey them to a storage place.

Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to FIG. 1 of thesame, it will be seen that the tying machine of the present inventioncomprises support means only partially shown in FIG. 1 as a supportingtable 10 having an upper horizontally extending supporting surface forsupporting a bundle or package 11 to be tied thereon. Moving means,preferably in the form of a ring 12, encircle the package 11. The ring12 is mounted in any well known manner, not shown in FIG. 1, forrotation about its axis, and the ring is provided at its outer peripherywith a gear rim. A gear 13, supported for rotation in any convenientmanner about its axis meshes with the gear rim of the ring 12. The gear13 is driven by means of a pulley and 'belt drive, for instance, from amotor 14 so as to rotate the ring 12 in counterclockwise direction. Asupply reel 16 is carried turnably about its axis by the ring 12. Thetying material 17 is wound onto the supply reel 16 and the tyingmaterial is preferably plastics material in either wire or strip form. Abraking device 15 schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 cooperates withthe supply reel 16 for braking rotation of the latter about its axis.The tying material 17 is guided from the side of the ring 12 carryingthe reel 16 to the other opposite side through a sleeve 18 which ismounted in a hole in the ring 12. The sleeve 18 may be formed from ashort piece of pipe in which end pieces are inserted to prevent damageto the tying material 17. The free end of the tying material 17 is heldby a first gripping means 19 carried by a takeover shaft 20.

Evidently when the ring 12 is rotated in counterclockwise direction,tying material will be unwound from the supply reel 10 and wound aboutthe package or bundle 11 on the table 10, and the brake means 15 brakingrotation of the supply reel will assure that the tying material 17 willbe wound in taut condition about the package.

The fastening of the overlapping ends of the tying material does notform part of the present invention. Any known fastening means may beused. However, in order to show an advantageous way of forming suchfastening with the machine according to the invention, the elementsrequired therefore are also shown and described in further detailhereinafter with reference to FIGS. 2-6.

As shown in these figures, a metallic strip 24 is coiled on a roll 23.The strip 24 can be fed by advancing means 25 to a die 26, a slide plate27 and a squeeze block 28.

While the free end of the tying material is held by the gripping device10 on the takeover shaft 20, the advancing means 25 convey the metallicstrip 24 from the roll 23 to between the squeeze block 28 and the die26. The slide plate 27 is then moved to cover in its end position thegap between the squeeze block 28 and the die 26, which movement of theplate 27 is initiated by the advancing means 25. Afterwards, the knife22 cuts the steel strip 24 at the die 26. The portion of the steel stripcut off is gripped between the squeeze block 28 and the die 26 and thecut off portion of the steel strip is preformed.

When the components of the machine are in the position as shown in FIG.3, the takeover shaft 20 has been drawn to the left, as viewed in FIG.3, to its other end position and has also been swung upwardly. The ring12 rotates about the package 11 and an auxiliary clamp or secondgripping means 21 located in the direction of rotation of the ring 12beyond the first gripping means 19 is then advanced and closed about aportion of the tying material unwound from the reel and extending aboutthe bundle 11 beyond the first gripping means 19 in overlappingrelationship to the end of the tying material held by the gripping means19. Further rotation of the ring 12 may then be stopped by any meansknown in the art.

When the components of the machine are positioned as shown in FIG. 4,the squeeze block 28 advances and forms the piece of steel strip grippedbetween the block 28 and the die 26 into a seal about the overlappingportions of the tying material 17. At the same time the slide plate ispushed back by the block 28 so that as the squeeze block 28 isretracted, and the finished joint can automatically come out of thefastening means.

A knife 29 is then advanced to cut the tying material 17 at the leftside, as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, of the second gripping means 21. Atthe same time the first gripping means 19 is opened and the takeovershaft 20 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 4 to that shown inFIG. 5 and moved also upwardly to grip the free end of the tyingmaterial at the left side of the second gripping means 21 as shown inFIG. 5, while the second gripping means 21 is opened and retracted tothe position shown in FIG. 6 and the knife 29 is also retracted to itsstarting position.

Finally, the squeeze block 28 returns to itsstarting position as shownin FIG. 6 and the shaft 20 swings downwardly likewise to its startingposition as shown in FIG. 1. This completes one tied loop around thepackage 11. The package may be tied again in the same way before beingfinally removed from the machine and taken to a storage room.

As already mentioned the means for fastening the overlapping ends of thetying material are shown in the drawings only in a schematic manner andany other means well known in the art may be used for fastening of theoverlapping ends ofthe tying material in the machine of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 79 illustrate a further embodiment of a tying machine according tothe present invention in which the suppiy reel is mounted on a movablering of the machine turnable about an axis parallel to the axis of thering and in which the supply reel is braked by means tending to moveabout its axis in a direction opposite to the direction of rotationimparted thereto during withdrawal of tying material therefrom while thesupply reel is permitted to slip in a controlled manner so that thetying material will be wound about the package in taut condition.

Referring now to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the tying machineillustrated therein includes a support table 10 adapted to support onits upper supporting surface a package or bundle 11 to be tied.Surrounding the package 11 is a movable ring 12 located in a planenormal to the supporting surface of table 10. A stationary ring 30having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the movablering 12 is arranged in a plane parallel to that of the movable ring toone side of the latter. The stationary ring 30 is fixed to the supportmeans of the machine in any known manner, not shown in the drawing. Themovable ring 12 is supported turnably about its axis on the stationaryring 30 by supporting means which include as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9three support brackets 34. Brackets 34 are fastened angularly spacedfrom each other through an angle of by means of screw bolts 35 extendingthrough appropriate openings of the stationary ring 30 to the latter.Each of the substa'ntially triangular brackets 34 carries at the apexthereof an axle 45 (FIG. 9) on which a roller 36 is turnably mounted,preferably by means of a needle hearing. A snap ring engaged in a grooveof the axle 45 prevents axial shifting of the roller 36. Each roller 36has a pair .of flanges rollingly engaging cylindrical bearing surfaces44 on the outer periphery of the movable ring and respectively locatedat opposite sides of a gear rim 32 formed on the outer periphery of themovable ring 12. Each roller 36 is provided with an annular groove 46through which the gear rim 32 of the movable ring may pass withclearance. This provides for a secure guiding of the movable ring 12 andthis will also prevent shifting of the movable ring in axial direction.

The drive means for moving the movable ring 12 about its. axis include agear 13 meshing with the gear rim 32 provided at the periphery of themovable ring 12 and being mounted on the support means for turningmovement about the axis 13'. A pulley 40 coaxially fixed to the gear 13for movement about the axis 13 is driven by a belt 43 from a secondpulley 41 fixed to the shaft 42. of a motor 14 mounted in any convenientmanner, not further shown in FIG. 7, on the support of the machine. Themotor is rotated in a direction to drive the movable ring 12 inclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7. Conventional means not shown inthe drawing are provided for control of the movement of the movablering, that is to stop rotation of the same after the same has performedsubstantially one revolution.

Supply reel means 37 are mounted by means of a bracket 38 and screws 39on the movable ring 12 and the supply reel means 37 carry a supply spool16 turnable about an axis parallel to the axis of the movable ring andon which the tying material preferably in the form of a wire or strip ofplastic material is wound.

The bracket 38 carrying the supply reel means 37 has a substantiallytriangular plate portion extending to one side of the stationary ring36. A portion of the bracket 38 reinforced by rib 38a (FIG. 8) extendsthrough the stationary ring 3t), engages the movable ring adjacent theouter periphery thereof and is fastened thereto by a pair of screw bolts39 extending through appropriate openings of the movable ring 12 and thebracket 33 and being fixed thereto by means of nuts 39a. The end portionof the bracket 38 which extends beyond the outer periphery of thestationary ring 30 is formed into a bearing portion 52 in which a shaft47 is turnably mounted by means of two roller bearings 53. The shaft 47projects with opposite ends thereof respectively to opposite sides ofthe roller bearings 53. A small diameter gear 48 meshing with the gearrim 31 provided on the outer periphery of the stationary ring 30 isfixed to the shaft 47 by means of a key 4% and secured against movementin axial direction of the shaft 47 by a snap ring engaging a grooveadjacent the outer end of the shaft 47 so as to hold the gear 48 againsta shoulder of the shaft. The other end of the shaft carries fixedthereto by means of a key 51 a sprocket wheel 5th and a snap ringsecures the sprocket wheel 50 against axial movement on the shaft 47.The sprocket wheel St? is connected by means of a sprocket chain 54 to asecond sprocket wheel 55 of a diameter larger than that of the sprocketwheel 50 and which is coaxially fixed to a hub 57 turnably mounted, bymeans of needle bearings 63 on a stud shaft 58 fixedly mounted in a boreformed in the bracket 38 intermediate the ends thereof. The stud shaft58 is secure-d against rotation and axial movement relative to thebracket 38 by a flange 73 integral with the free end of the stud shaft58 or welded thereto and held on the bracket 38 by a screw 74. The hub57 has on the side thereof facing the bracket 38 a flange portion 57a towhich the second sprocket wheel 55 is fastened by means of screws 56.Radial needle bearings respectively engaging opposite shoulder faces onthe hub 57 prevent axial displacement of the hub relative to thestationary stud shaft 58. The needle bearings 5 67 are secured againstaxial displacement on the stud shaft 58 in a conventional manner asshown in FIG. 8. A drum having a hub portion 68 surrounds the hub 57 andis turnably mounted thereon by means of a needle bearing 62. The drumhas on a side thereof facing the bracket 33 a flange 59 integrallyconnected to the hub portion of the drum and the flange 59 is formedwith a cavity facing the flange portion 57a of the inner hub 57. Afriction disk 60 is located in the cavity and fastened to the drum bymeans of screws 61. The heads of the screw 61 are countersunk intheannular friction disk 60.

Pressure means are provided for pressing the annular friction disk 60again-st the flange portion 57a of the inner hub 57. These pressuremeans comp-rise a compression spring 64, preferably formed by aplurality of oppositely curved spring washers, located about the rightend portion, as viewed in FIG. 4, of the inner hub 57 and being engagedat one end thereof by a ring 66 screwed onto the right end of the innerhub 57 so as to be adjustable in axial direction, while a radial needlebearing 65 is sandwiohed between the other end of the compression spring64 and a shoulder face on the drum 68. The ring 66 is provided with aplurality of angularly spaced bores 69 for engaging with an appropriatewrench so that the ring may be turned about its axis and thereby beaxially ad justed with regard to the inner hub 57. In this way thepressure with which the annular friction disk 60 engages the fiangeportion 57a of the inner hub 57 may be adjusted.

A supply spool 16, as shown in FIG. 7 is mounted .on the outer peripheryof the hub portion of the drum 68 and a plurality of studs 72 carried bythe flange 59 of the drum are adapted to engage into correspondingopenings of the supply spool 16 so that the latter is secured to thedrum 68 against rotation relative thereto. A second flange 71 having acylindrical portion provided with an outer screw thread is screwed intoa correspondingly threaded portion of the drum to engage a supply spoolmounted on the hub portion of the drum on the side thereof opposite theside facing the flange 59. By appropriate adjusting of the axialposition of the flange 71 the studs 72 may be securely held inappropriate openings of the supply spool. By unscrewing the cylindricalportion of the flange '71 from the remainder of the drum, an emptysupply spool may be removed from the drum and be replaced by a new one.Appropriate openings 70 are formed in the flange 71 for engagement withan appropriate wrench or similar tool to facilitate screwing of thecylindrical portion of the flange 71 into and out from the threaded endof the hub portion of the drum.

The machine illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 includes also first gripping means19 mounted on a takover shaft 21), second gripping means 21, cuttingmeans 22, and cooperating with means for fastening the overlapping endsof the tying material, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 and asdescribed before in detail in connection with FIGS. 2-6.

The machine as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 will operate as follows:

A parcel or bundle 11 to be tied is placed on the support table 10 witha portion of the parcel extending through the movable ring 12. The endof the tying material on the supply spool 16 is held by the firstgripping mean-s 19 and the electromotor 14 is started whereby rotationof the motor is transmitted through the pulley and belt drive 40, 41, 43to the gear 13 meshing with the gear rim 32 on the outer periphery ofthe movable ring 12 so that the latter is rotated in clockwisedirection. The supply spool means 37 mounted by the bracket 38 on themovable ring 12 moves together with the movable ring during the rotationthereof, whereby the tying material, for instance a plastic wire iswithdrawn from the supply spool so that the drum 68 on which the supplyspool is fixedly mounted will be rotated in counterclockwise directionwhile the movable ring moves in clockwise direction. Duringmovement ofthe movable ring in clockwise direction the small gear 48 on the bracket38 meshing with the gear rim 31 on the outer periphery of the stationaryring 30 will rotate in clockwise direction, and transmit through thechain drive 50, 54, 55 a rotation in clockwise direction, that is arotation in the direction opposite to the rotation of the drum 68, tothe hub 57 on which the drum is mounted. Since the friction disk 60fixedly mounted on the drum 68 is in frictional contact with the flangeportion 57a of the hub 57, rotation of the hub in the direction oppositeto the rotation of the drum will impart to the latter a braking momentso that the tying material will be applied in taut condition about. theparcel 11 and undesired unwinding of the tying material from the supplyspool for instance at the end of rotation of the movable ring will bepositively prevented. The size of the braking force can be easilyadjusted by adjusting the pressure of the spring means 64 which pressesthe friction disk 60 against the flange portion 57a of the hub.

After the movable ring has made about a full revolution, movement of thesame is stopped by any well known means not forming part of the presentinvention, the overlapping ends of the tying material are connected andthe tying material out between the connected ends and the remainder ofthe tying material on the supply spool in the manner as described abovein connection with FIGS. 2-6.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofmachines for tying bundles or the like differing from the typesdescribe-d above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in amachine for tying bundles and including means for applying the tyingmaterial in taut condition about the bundle to be tied, it is notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made without departing in any way from thespirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing Will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; movingmeans encircling a bundle supported on said supporting surface andadapted to move about the bundle in one direction; a supply reel fortying material mounted on said moving means for moving therewith aboutthe bundle, said supply reel having an axis and being mounted on saidmoving means turnably about said axis; first gripping means for grippingone end of the tying material and for holding it adjacent the bundlewhile said moving means moves said supply reel about said bundle so thatthe tying material is withdrawn from said supply reel and wound aboutthe bundle; brake means cooperating with said supply reel for brakingthe turning movement of said reel about its axis so as to apply thetying material in tensioned condition about the bundle, said brake meansincluding a friction wheel in operative engagement with said supply reeland means for rotating said friction wheel in a direction opposite tothe direction of rotation imparted to said supply reel during withdrawalof tying material therefrom; second gripping means located in said onedirection beyond said first gripping means for gripping a portion of thetying material unwound from said supply reel and extending about thebundle beyond the first gripping means in overlapping relationship tosaid one end of said tying material; fastening means adjacent saidfirst'and second gripping means for fastening the portion of tyingmaterial overlapping said one end of said tying material to said oneend; and cutting means for cutting the tying material between thefastened portion and said reel.

2. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga horizontal supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tiedthereon; moving means in the form of a ring member arranged in asubstantially vertical plane encircling a bundle supported on saidsupporting surface, said ring member having an outer gear rim; a gearmeshing with said gear rim; drive means for rotating said gear to turnsaid ring member in one direction about the bundle; a supply reel fortying material mounted on said ring member on one side thereof formovement with said ring member about said bundle, said supply reelhaving an axis parallel to the axis of the ring member and being mountedon said ring member turnably about its axis; guide means mounted on saidring member adjacent said supply reel, said guide means extend ing fromsaid one side to the other side of said ring member and guiding tyingmaterial unwound from said reel to the other side of said ring member;first gripping means for gripping one end of the tying material and forholding it adjacent the bundle while said moving means moves said supplyreel about said bundle so that the tying material is wound about thebundle; brakemeans cooperating with said supply reel for braking theturning movement of said reel about its axis so as to apply the tyingmaterial in tensioned condition about the bundle; second gripping meanslocated in said one direction beyond said first gripping means forgripping a portion of the tying material unwound from said supply reeland extending about the bundle beyond the first gripping means inoverlapping relationship to said one end of said tying material;fastening means adjacent said first and second gripping mcans forfastening the portion of tying material overlapping said one end of saidtying material to said one end; and cutting means for cutting the tyingmaterial between the fastened portion and said reel.

3. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga horizontal supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tiedthereon; moving means in the form of a ring member arranged in asubstantially vertical plane encircling a bundle supported on said supporting surface, said ring member having an outer gear rim; a gearmeshing with said gear rim; drive means for rotating said gear to turnsaid ring member in one direction about the bundle; a supply reel fortying material mounted on said ring member on one side thereof formovement with said ring member about said bundle, said supply reelhaving an axis parallel to the axis of the ring member and being mountedon said ring member turnably about its axis; guide means mounted on saidring member adjacent said supply reel, said guide means extending fromsaid one side to the other side of said ring member and guiding tyingmaterial unwound from said reel to the other side of said ring member;first gripping means for gripping one end of the tying material and forholding it adjacent the bundle while said moving means moves said supplyreel about said bundle so that the tying mate rial is wound about thebundle; brake means cooperating with said supply reel for braking theturning movement of said reel about its axis so as to apply the tyingmaterial in tensioned condition about the bundle, said brake eansincluding a friction wheel in operative engagement with said supply reeland means for rotating said friction wheel in a direction opposite tothe direction of rotation imparted to the supply reel during withdrawalof tying material therefrom; second gripping means located in said onedirection beyond said first gripping means for gripping a portion of thetying material unwound from said supply reel and extending about thebundle beyond the first gripping means in overlapping relationship tosaid one end of said tying material; fastening means adjacent 9 saidfirst and second gripping means for fastening the portion of tyingmaterial overlapping said one end of said tying material to said oneend; and cutting means for cutting the tying material between thefastened portion and said reel.

4. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; astationary ring located substantially in a plane normal to saidsupporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on said supportingsurface; a movable ring coaxial with said stationary ring and located ina plane substantially parallel to said one plane; means supporting saidmovable ring turnably about its axis on said stationary ring; drivemeans operatively connected to said movable ring for rotating the latterin one direction about its axis; a supply reel for tying material, saidsupply reel having an axis and being carried turnably about its axis onsaid movable ring; first gripping means for gripping one end of thetying material and for bolding it adjacent the bundle while said movablering moves said supply reel about said bundle so that the tying materialis withdrawn from said supply reel and wound about the bundle while saidsupply reel is rotated in a direction opposite said one direction;rotating means cooperating with said stationary ring and operativelyconnected to said reel tending to rotate said reel in a directionopposite the direction of rotation imparted thereto during withdrawal oftying material therefrom while permitting said reel to slip so as tokeep the tying material during winding of the same about the bundle intaut condition; second gripping means located in said one directionbeyond said first gripping means for gripping a por tion of the tyingmaterial unwound from said reel and extending about the bundle beyondthe first gripping means in overlapping relationship to said one end ofsaid tying material; fastening means adjacent said first and secondgripping means for fastening the portion of tying material overlappingsaid one end of said tying material to said one end; and cutting meansfor cutting the tying material between the fastened portion and saidreel.

5. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; astationary ring located substantially in a plane normal to saidsupporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on said supportingsurface; a movable ring coaxial with said stationary ring and located ina plane substantially parallel to said one plane; roller means mountedon said stationary ring and engaging said movable ring for supportingthe latter turnable about its axis on said stationary ring; drive meansoperatively connected to said movable ring for rotating the latter inone direction about its axis; a supply reel for tying material, saidsupply reel having an axis and being carried turnably about its axis onsaid movable ring; first gripping means for gripping one end of thetying material and for holding it adjacent the bundle while said movablering moves said supply reel about said bundle so that the tying materialis withdrawn from said supply reel and wound about the bundle while saidsupply wheel is rotated in a direction opposite said one direction;rotating means cooperating with said stationary ring and operativelyconnected to said reel tending to rotate said reel in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation imparted thereto during withdrawalof tying material therefrom while permitting said reel to slip so as tokeep the tying material during winding of the same about the bundle intaut condition; second gripping means located in said one directionbeyond said first gripping means for gripping a portion of the tyingmaterial unwound from said reel and extending about the bundle beyondthe first gripping means in overlapping relationship to said one end ofsaid tying material; fastening means adjacent said first and secondgripping means for fastening the portion of tying material overlappingsaid one end of said tying material to said one end; and cutting meansit) for cutting the tying material between the fastened portion and saidreel.

6. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; astationary ring located substantially in a plane normal to saidsupporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on said supportingsurface; a movable ring having an outer diameter smaller than the innerdiameter of said stationary ring and being arranged to one side of andsubstantially parallel to said stationary ring; a plurality of rollersturnably mounted on said one side of said stationary ring and engagingthe outer periphery of said movable ring for supporting the latterturnable about its axis on said stationary ring; drive means operativelyconnected to said movable ring for rotating the latter in one directionabout its axis; a supply reel for tying material, said supply reelhaving an axis and being carried turnably about its axis on said movablering; first gripping means for gripping one end of the tying materialand for holding it adjacent the bundle while said movable ring movessaid supply reel about said bundle so that the tying material iswithdrawn from said supply reel and wound about the bundle while saidsupply wheel is rotated in a direction opposite said one direction;rotating means cooperating with said stationary ring and operativelyconnected to said reel tending to rotate said reel in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation imparted thereto during withdrawalof tying material therefrom while permitting said reel to slip so as tokeep the tying material during winding of the same about the bundle intaut condition; second gripping means located in said one directionbeyond said first gripping means for gripping a portion'of the tyingmaterial unwound from said reel and extending about the bundle beyondthe first gripping means in overlapping relationship to said one end ofsaid tying material; fastening means adjacent said first and secondgripping means for fastening the portion of tying material overlappingsaid one end of said tying material to said one end; and cutting meansfor cutting the tying material between the fastened portion and saidreel.

7. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; astationary ring located substantially in a plane normal to saidsupporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on said supportingsurface; a movable ring having an outer diameter smaller than the innerdiameter of said stationary ring and being ar ranged to one side of andsubstantially parallel to said stationary ring, said movable ring havinga gear rim at the outer periphery thereof of a width smaller than thewidth of said movable ring so as to provide at opposite sides of saidgear rim a pair of cylindrical support surfaces; a plurality of rollersturnably mounted on said one side of said stationary ring and engagingthe outer periphery of said movable ring for supporting the latterturnable about its axis on said stationary ring, said rollers havingeach a pair of flanges respectively engaging said cylindrical bearingsurfaces and annular groove between said flanges through which said gearrim passes with clearance; a gear turnably mounted on said support meansand meshing with said gear rim of said movable ring; drive meansoperatively connected to said gear for rotating the same about its axisto move thereby said movable ring in one direction about its axis; asupply reel for tying material, said supply reel having an axis andbeing carried turnably about its axis on said movable ring; firstgripping means for gripping one end of the tying material and forholding it adjacent the bundle while said movable ring moves said supplyreel about said bundle so that the tying material is withdrawn from saidsupply reel and wound about the bundle while said supply reel is rotatedin a direction opposite said one direction; rotating means cooperatingwith said stationary ring and operatively connected to said reel tendingto rotate said reel in a direction opposite to the direction of rotationimparted thereto during withdrawal of tying material therefrom whilepermitting said reel to slip so as to keep the tying material duringwinding of the same about the bundle in taut condition; second grippingmeans located in said one dircction beyond said first gripping means forgripping a portion of the tying material unwound from said reel andextending about the bundle beyond the first gripping means inoverlapping relationship to said one end of said tying material;fastening means adjacent said first and second gripping means forfastening the portion of tying material overlapping said one end of saidtying material to said one end; and cutting means for cutting the tyingmaterial between the fastened portion and said reel.

8. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; astationary ring located substantially in a plane normal to saidsupporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on said supportingsurface; a movable ring coaxial with said stationary ring and located ina plane substantially parallel to said one plane; means supporting saidmovable ring turnably about its axis on said stationary ring; drivemeans operatively connected to said movable ring for rotating the latterin one direction about its axis; a supply reel for tying material, saidsupply reel having an axis and being carried turnably about its axis onsaid movable ring; first gripping means for gripping one end of thetying material and for holding it adjacent the bundle while said movablering moves said supply reel about said bundle so that the tying materialis withdrawn from said supply reel and wound about the bundle while saidsupply reel is rotated in a direction opposite said one direction;rotating means cooperating with said stationary ring and operativelyconnected to said reel tending to rotate said reel in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation imparted thereto during withdrawal of tying material therefrom while permitting said reel to slip soas to keep the tying material during Winding of the same about thebundle in taut condition, said rotating means including a member carriedby said movable ring turnably about a turning axis parallel to the axisof said movable ring and engaging said stationary ring to be rotatedabout said turning axis, during movement of said movable ring in saidone direction, in a direction opposite to said one direction, andconnecting means connecting said reel to said member for movementtherewith in said opposite direction; scond gripping means located insaid one direction beyond said first gripping means for gripping aportion of the tying material unwound from said reel and extending aboutthe bundle beyond the first gripping means in overlapping relationshipto said one end of said tying material; fastening means adjacent saidfirst and second gripping means for fastening the portion of tyingmaterial overlapping said one end of said tying material to said oneend; and cutting means for cutting the tying material between thefastened portion and said reel.

9. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; astationary ring located substantially in a plane normal to saidsupporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on said supportingsurface; a movable ring coaxial with said stationary ring and located ina plane substantially parallel to said one plane; means supporting saidmovable ring turnably about its axis on said stationary ring; drivemeans operatively connected to said movable ring for rotating the latterin one direction about its axis; a supply reel for tying material, saidsupply reel having an axis and being carried turnably about its axis onsaid movable ring; first gripping means for gripping one end of thetying material and for holding it adjacent the bundle while said movablering moves said supply reel about said bundle so that the tying materialis withdrawn from said supply reel and wound about the bundle while saidsupply reel is rotated in a direction opposite said one direction;rotating means cooperating with said stationary ring and operativelyconnected to said reel tending to rotate said reel in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation imparted thereto during withdrawalof tying material therefrom while permitting said reel to slip so as tokeep the tying material during winding of the same about the bundle intaut condition, said rotating means including a member carried by saidmovable ring turnably about a turning axis parallel to the axis of saidmovable ring and engaging said stationary ring to be rotated about saidturning axis, during movement of said movable ring in'said onedirection, in a direction opposite to said one direction, and connectingmeans connecting said reel to said member for movement therewith in saidopposite direction and including a slip clutch permitting said reel toslip relative to said member; second gripping means located in said onedirection beyond said first gripping means for gripping a portion of thetying material unwound from said reel and extending about the bundlebeyond the first gripping means in overlapping relationship to said oneend of said tying material; fastening means adjacent said first andsecond gripping means for fastening the portion of tying materialoverlapping said one end of said tying material to said one end; andcutting means for cutting the tying material between the fastenedportion and said reel.

10. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; astationary ring located substantially in a plane normal to saidsupporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on said supportingsurface, said stationary ring having a gear rim; a movable ring coaxialwith said stationary ring and located in a plane substantially parallelto said one plane; means supporting said movable ring turnably about itsaxis on said stationary ring; drive means operatively connected to saidmovable ring for rotating the latter in one direction about its axis; asupply reel for tying material, said supply reel having an axis andbeing carried turnably about its axis on said movable ring; firstgripping means for gripping one end of the tying material and forholding it adjacent the bundle while said movable ring moves said supplyreel about said bundle so that the tying material is withdrawn from saidsupply reel and wound about the bundle while said supply reel is rotatedin a direction opposite said one direction; rotating means cooperatingwith said stationary ring and operatively connected to said reel tendingto rotate said reel in a direction opposite to the direction of rotationimparted thereto during withdrawal of tying material therefrom whilepermitting said reel to slip so as to keep the tying material duringwinding of the same about the bundle in taut condition, said rotatingmeans including a gear carried by said movable ring turnably about aturning axis parallel to the axis of said movable ring and meshing withsaid gear rim of said stationary ring to be rotated about said turningaxis, during movement of said movable ring in said one direction, in adirection opposite to said one direction, and connecting meansconnecting said reel to said gear for movement therewith in saidopposite direction and including a slip clutch permitting said reel toslip relative to said gear; second gripping means located in said onedirection beyond said first gripping means for gripping a portion of thetying material unwound from said reel and extending about the bundlebeyond the first gripping means in overlapping relationship to said oneend of said tying material; fastening means adjacent said first andsecond gripping means for fastening the portion of tying materialoverlapping said one end of said tying material to said one end; andcutting means for cutting the tying material between the fastenedportion and said reel.

11. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination,

support means having a supporting surface for supporting a bundle to betied thereon; a stationary ring located substantially in a plane normalto said supporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on saidsupporting surface, said stationary ring having a gear rim; a movablering having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of saidstationary ring and being arranged to one side of and substantiallyparallel to said stationary ring; a plurality of rollers turnablymounted on said one side of said stationary ring and engaging the outerperiphery of said movable ring for supporting the latter turnable aboutits axis on said stationary ring; drive means operatively connected tosaid movable ring for rotating the latter in one direction about itsaxis; a support bracket fixed to said movable ring and extending throughsaid stationary ring to the other side of the latter; supply reel meansfor tying material, said supply reel means being turnably mounted onsaid bracket projecting to said other side of said stationary ring;first gripping means for gripping one end of the tying material and forholding it adjacent the bundle while said movable ring moves said supplyreel about said bundle so that the tying material is withdrawn from saidsupply reel and wound about the bundle while said supply reel is rotatedin a direction opposite said one direction; a gear turnably mounted onsaid bracket and meshing with said gear rim of said stationary ringto berotated, during movement of said movable ring in said one direction, ina direction opposite to the direction of rotation imparted to saidsupply reel means during withdrawal of tying material therefrom; meansconnecting said supply reel means with said gear for rotating therewithin said opposite direction while permitting said reel means to sliprelative to said gear so as to keep the tying material during winding ofthe same about the bundle in taut condition; second gripping meanslocated in said one direction beyond said first gripping means forgripping a portion of the tying material unwound from said reel andextending about the bundle beyond the first gripping means inoverlapping relationship to said one end of said tying material;fastening means adjacent said first and second gripping means forfastening the portion of tying material overlapping said one end of saidtying material to said one end; and cutting means for cutting the tyingmaterial between the fastened portion and said reel.

12. In a machine for tying bundles, in combination, support means havinga supporting surface for supporting a bundle to be tied thereon; astationary ring located substantially in a plane normal to saidsupporting surface and encircling a bundle supported on said supportingsurface, said stationary ring having a gear rim; a movable ring havingan outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said stationaryring and being arranged to one side of and substantially parallel tosaid stationary ring; a plurality of rollers turnably mounted on saidone side of said stationary ring and engaging the outer periphery ofsaid movable ring for supporting the latter turnable about its axis onsaid stationary ring; drive means operatively connected to said movablering for rotating the latter in one direction about its axis; a supportbracket fixed to said movable ring and extending through said stationaryring to the other side of the latter; supply reel means for tyingmaterial, said supply reel means being turnably mounted on said bracketprojecting to said other side of said stationary ring and including ahub turnably mounted on said bracket, and a drum turnably mounted onsaid hub and adapted to carry a supply spool fixed thereto for rotationtherewith; first gripping means for gripping one end of the tyingmaterial and for holding it adjacent the bundle while said movable ringmoves said supply reel about said bundle so that the tying material iswithdrawn from said supply spool and wound about the bundle while saiddrum is rotated in a direction opposite said one direction; a gearturnably mounted on said bracket and meshing with said gear rim of saidstationary ring to be rotated, during movement of said movable ring insaid one direction, in a direction opposite to the direction of rotationimparted to said drum during withdrawal of tying material therefrom;means connecting said hub with said gear for rotating therewith in saidopposite direction while permitting said drum to slip relative to saidhub so as to keep the tying material during winding of the same aboutthe bundle in taut condition, said connecting means including frictionclutch means between said hub and said drum permitting said drum to sliprelative to said hub; second gripping means located in said onedirection beyond said first gripping means for gripping a portion of thetying material unwound from said reel and extending about the bundlebeyond the first gripping means in overlapping relationship to said oneend of said tying material; fastening means adjacent said first andsecond gripping means for fastening the portion of tying materialoverlapping said one end of said tying material to said one end; andcutting means for cutting the tying material between the fastenedportion and said reel.

13. In a machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means forconnecting said gear with said hub of said reel means further comprise ashaft turnably carried by said bracket, said gear being mounted on oneend of said shaft, a first sprocket wheel on the other end of saidshaft, a second sprocket wheel fixed to said hub, and a sprocket chainwound about said first and second sprocket wheels.

14. In a machine as set forth in claim 12, wherein said friction clutchmeans comprises a flange on one end of said hub and having an annularsurface facing a corresponding annular surface of said drum, an annularfriction disc fixed to one of said annular surfaces and frictionallyengaging the other of said annular surfaces, and pressure meanscooperating with said hub and said drum for pressing said friction discagainst said other annular surface.

15. In a machine as set forth in claim 14, said pressure meanscomprising compression spring means wound about an end portion of saidhub which is opposite said one end thereof, antifriction means betweenone end of said spring and a face of said drum facing away from saidannular surface thereof, and abutting means fixed to said end portion ofsaid hub adjustable in axial direction thereof and engaging the otherend of said compression spring.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES IATENTS 1,728,442 9/1929Peck 100-28 X FOREIGN PATENTS 616,691 8/1935 Germany.

742,546 12/ 1955 Great Britain.

, WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A MACHINE FOR TYING BUNDLES, IN COMBINATION, SUPPORT MEANS HAVINGA SUPPORTING SURFACE FOR SUPPORTING A BUNDLE TO BE TIED THEREON; MOVINGMEANS ENCIRCLING A BUNDLE SUPPORTED ON SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE ANDADAPTED TO MOVE ABOUT THE BUNDLE IN ONE DIRECTION; A SUPPLY REEL FORTYING MATERIAL MOUNTED ON SAID MOVING MEANS FOR MOVING THEREWITH ABOUTTHE BUNDLE, SAID SUPPLY REEL HAVING AN AXIS AND BEING MOUNTED ON SAIDMOVING MEANS TURNABLY ABOUT SAID AXIS; FRIST GIPPING MEANS FOR GRIPPINGONE END OF THE TYING MATERIAL AND FOR HOLDING IT ADJACENT THE BUNDLEWHILE SAID MOVING MEANS MOVES SAID SUPPLY REEL ABOUT SAID BUNDLE SO THATTHE TYING MATERIAL IS WITHDRAWN FROM SAID SUPPLY REEL AND WOUND ABOUTTHE BUNDLE; BRAKE MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID SUPPLY REEL FOR BRAKINGTHE TURNING MOVEMENT OF SAID REEL ABOUT ITS AXIS SO AS TO APPLY THETYING MATERIAL IN TENSIONED CONDITON ABOUT THE BUNDLE, SAID BRAKE MEANSINCLUDING A FRICTION WHEEL IN OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SUPPLY REELAND MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID FRICTION WHEEL IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO